Wrench



amll, 1938.

WRENCH original Filed aan. 16, 195s 2 Sheets-Sheet l 'gli f6 /6 5@- Lais E. Haagh@ inventor Jan. 11, l938. L. E. HAGBO WRENCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Jan. 16, 1933 Smaeutor E. Habo Patented Jan. 11, 193s UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WRENCH Lars E. Hagbo, BremertonyWash.

Claims.

`My invention 'relates to wrenches in general, the :particular embodiment herein disclosed beingincorporate'din pipe wrenches. This application is fa continuation of my application Serial No. 651,930, iiled January 16, 1933, now issued as Patent No. 2,015,895, Oct. 1, V1935.

It is Aan 'object of my invention to provide a mechanism to hold `the movable jaw of a wrench in any selected position, in which mechanism is incorporated means optionally operable to lock Vthe lrst mechanism positively in jaw securing position, but which locking means, upon movement 'to unlocked position, will not move the jawsecuring mechanism from jaw-secured position.

A furtherobject is to provide mechanism of the type mentioned which can be conveniently and compactly -incorporated in the body of wrenches having the general proportions of those now in use, and which will not project from the wrench body in a `manner to interfere with the customary use ofthe wrench.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a mechanism having the above mentioned characteristics which is operable for quick adjustment of the movable jaw to a position spaced at any desired-distance from the fixed jaw. I More specifically it is my purpose to eliminate the tedious adjusting operation associated with the conventional screw-operated adjusting means.

Itis an object to provide such operation by employing a spring forcing the movable jaw away Y from the `lixed jaw, which upon release of the securing mechanism 'will force the movable jaw outward yto its full extent. The movable jaw i I may then 'be moved inward any desired amount,

to be automatically held in such position. It may also be positively locked in that position by a single locking member.

It is also an object to provide means having the general characteristics mentioned, which shall be rugged and not likely to be damaged by normal use Aof the wrench, reliable in operation, and simple to construct and assemble.

VStill another object obtained by my invention as embodied in pipe wrenches is the provision of improved means normally urging the movable jaw to the position of nearest approach to the xed jaw, or in an alternative form, to a position intermediate the `position of nearest approach and the farthest distant position, which means are incorporated in the body of the wrench and replace the usual exposed leaf springs.

Itis also an object, in conjunction with a pipe wrench, to construct the same in such manner that .the `very considerable stresses developed in use can be relieved from the pivot Aabout which the movable ,jaw swings, and delivered 4directly from the movable jaw or itsV immediate support to the handle.

'Other objects, and in particular those resulting from .the )mechanical details of my device, may be ascertained from the specification with reference to the accompanying drawings, the novel features rof which are defined by the claims appended -to the-specification.

My invention includes 'the novel parts and in particular the arrangement and formation of such parts, shown in the vdrawings and described in the specification, the novel Afeatures of which are pointed out in the claims.

Preferred embodiments 'of my invention are illustrated in the drawings.

Figure 1 `isa side-elevation of my invention incorporated .in a pipe wrench, parts being shown in position about to grasp a'pipe.

Figure -2 is a sectional elevation of the same wrench with Aparts locked in Aposition ready to grasp a pip'e, and Figure 3 is 1a similar view with parts in the movable jaw releasing position.

Figure 4 is a transverse :section through the same wrenchpsubstantially on the line 4 4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a side elevation, and Figure 6 is an elevation :partly in section, showing a slightly modified form of the pipe wrench.

In the pipe wrenches illustrated `a fixed jaw l is formed on or secured to a handle I0, and a movable jaw 2 :is formed on or secured to a slide 20, which moves within a guide l2 formed in the saddle 5. Within the saddle cavity is located 135 an upstanding `pin II, surrounded by a compression spring 2l which bears against the inner side of the saddle end, vand extends into a bore 22 in the Yslide of the'movable jaw. This spring al- -ways tends to force the Vslide out of the Vsaddle cavity, and the movable jaw away from the fixed jaw, which movement is limited by a stop pin 23 engaging the end of a slot l5 within which it slides.

When the movable jaw 2 is forced inward against the action of the spring 2l it is normally held from being forced outwardly again under the influence of this spring by engagement of transverse serrations ion the wedge block 3', with similar serrations formed on the back of the slide 20. This wedge block 3 is preferably, though not necessarily, cylindrical in shape, and is guided for movement towards and from the slide 20 in a chamber I4 formed in the saddle and opening at an langle into the guide l2. Thus disposed, one

surface of this chamber faces away from the movable jaw 2, so that a Wedging action is effected upon the wedge block 3 between the slide and this surface as the slide tends to move outward under the iniiuence of the spring 2 I. It may be seen that while the interengaging serrations or corrugations on the wedge and slide may not be necessary, they are desirable to eliminate all possibility of slippage under the separating pressure exerted when the wrench engages and operates upon the work.

To insure further the secure and constant' wedging engagement of the wedge block with the slide, whether the wrench is in use or not and in whatever attitude the wrench may be held, a spring 30 is employed interengaged between a recess in the end of the wedge block and the end of the wedge chamber or a screw such as 36 which forms the end of the wedge chamber, but which is removable for disassembly of the wedge and its associated parts from the body of the saddle.

When the wrench is to be used at a fixed setting for some little time it may be desirable to eliminate the quick adjustable feature inherent in the spring-pressed wedge block. Ordinarily the wedge block will be moved with a ratchet action upon inward movement of the movable jaw by the workman. Such ratcheting action may be prevented by actuation of positive locking mechanism which includes a knurled jaw-locking member 4, rotatable about a pivot 4D journaled transversely in the wrench saddle. The knurled periphery of the member 4' projects from the rear surface of the saddle in a position for ready engagement by the thumb of an operators hand holding the wrench. Upon the inner circumferential portion of the member 4 is formed a cam surface 42 which, upon turning of the member 4, will engage a rear portion of the wedge block 3, such as the shoulder formed by the notch 31. When the jaw-locking member is thus turned, the wedge block is held securely against the slide 2G, and the wedge block cannot be moved therefrom by pressure, either accidental or intentional, upon the movable jaw. This position of the parts is shown in Figure 2, and it will be evident that the ratcheting action above mentioned, which is permitted when the parts are in the positions shown in Figure 1, will now be prevented. As long as the member 4 is turned to the position of Figure 2, therefore, the slide will be positively locked to maintain the movable jaw and the xed jaw in the relative adjusted positions assumed when this member is turned to locking position.

It will be noted that the locking member 4 is disposed in the rear edge of the saddle, not in a side face thereof, and in this position does not project where it is likely to be engaged with the work and accidentally released. Furthermore, it will be noted that the exterior contour of the saddle and the locking member 4 is the same, whether such member be in the locked or unlocked position. Still, whenever adjustment of the wrench is required, a finger may release the locking member, and the movable jaw may then be pressed inward to a new adjusted position, or the wedge block may be withdrawn from the slide 2U, as will be described, to release the jaw 2 for outward movement under the influence of the spring 2l.

It is to be particularly noted, however, that movement of the jaw-locking member 4 from locked to unlocked position, namely, from the position shown in Figure 2 to that shown in Figure 1, does not in the least disturb the position of the wedge block 3. This block still remains in slide-engaged position, and just as effectively maintains the fixed jaw in its adjusted position when the member 4 is in the position of Figure 1 as when it is in the position of Figure 2. The only difference is that inward adjustment of the jaw 2 may be accomplished at the option of the workman with the parts in the position of Figure 1, whereas such adjustment is impossible when the member 4 is turned to the position of Figure 2. In both cases, however, the movable jaw is held in denitely fixed relation to the fixed jaw by the action of the two springs 2l and 30 tending to force the Wedge block 3 into the angle between and in engagement with the back of the slide 20 and the inclined surface of the saddle cavity i4.

When it is desired to adjust the movable jaw to a position spaced farther away from the fixed jaw, it is necessary to withdraw the wedge block 3 from engagement with the slide preparatory to such movement. This operation may be accomplished by any type of member engageable with the wedge block 3 to move it away from the slide in opposition to action of the spring 30. I have found it convenient to combine the wedge block releasing member with the locking member 4', and in the embodiment shown, such releasing member takes the form of the additional point 43, received in the slot 31 in the side of the Wedge block. Thus the point 43 is engageable with an end of the slot 31, upon movement of the locking member 4 in a direction opposite to that required to lock the wedging member, and upon further movement thereof pressure of the point 43 will move the wedge block axially to the position shown in Figure 3 where it no longer engages the slide 2Q. Thereupon the spring 2l acting on the slide 2D will force the movable jaw 2 outward to its limiting position, further movement thereof being prevented by the stop pin 23, as explained heretofore. Thus the locking member here performs the dual function either of locking the parts in an adjusted position or releasing the wedge block from engagement with the jaw slide to permit the movable jaw to slide to the extreme outer limit of its movement.

While in pipe wrenches of the type illustrated in the drawings the saddle 5 is pivotally supported at 5| from the handle l, and therefore is not directly connected to the xed jaw l, it is, to all intents and purposes, a part of the head of the wrench= even though it is a part which is pivotally supported with respect to the handle of the wrench. It will be noted that in the full open position of the movable jaw the pin 23 is directly over the axis of the pivot 5I, whereby the rocking movement of the movable jaw relative to the handle l0 is not disturbed.

It is desirable, in wrenches of this type, to provide spring means to hold the jaws swung somewhat away from their position of farthest approach (usually to the position of nearest approach), in order the more easily to close down upon a pipe. The means which I have provided for this purpose are valuable in connection with this particular type of jaw adjusting and locking means, and are valuable also in conjunction with any type of pipe wrench. For this purpose I provide in the handle l!) a slot I6 extending substantially longitudinally of the handle (but not in line with the pivot 5l and in this slot is received a block 6. By means of a pin 60, or any like means, this block is connected to a depending ear 50 of the saddle 5, the pin 60 passing through a transverse slot 56 in the ear 50 to limit relative movement of the saddle and the handle. The slot 56 is arranged at an angle less than a right angle to a line joining the axes of the pivot pin and the stop pin 60. Consequently the action of a small spring 6| on the lock 6 inV effect causes the pin 60, working within the slot. 56, to slide to the position farthest distant from the pivot pin 5|, or into the position shown in Figure 3, where the movable jaw 2 has been swung about the pivot 5| to the position of closest approach to the fixed jaw engagement of the saddle and jaw limiting this movement. To engage the wrench with a pipe it is a simple matter to depress the end of the saddle 5 or of the slide 20 with the thumb, and thus to swing the wrench Vopen into the position shown in Figure 2, but

upon release, the spring 6| again urges the jaws to swing towards each other.

In some wrenches means are provided for swinging the movable jaw somewhat away from the position of closest approach, and of main- Cil taining it in a position intermediate that of closest approach of the two jaws and farthest separation of such jaws. I have provided means whereby this result can be accomplished in the modificationshown in Figures 5 and 6. In this form the slot 56', corresponding to the slot156 and receiving the ends of the pin 60, has two wrenches; that is to say, its opposite ends are disposed at an angle to each other, and each of them is at an angle less than 90 to a line joining the axes of the pins 60 and 5|. When parts are in the position shown in Figure 6, the spring 6| tends to urge the pin along the slot 56 to a position farthest distant from the pin 5|, and it would be urged towards the same position if the pin 6|! were in the opposite end of the slot 56. The result is that parts tend to remain in an intermediate position, as shown in Figure 5, with the jaws partly Vswung open.

yIn this form (as indeed I might in the preceding form) I have shown the block 6 as so proportioned, relative to its slot I6, and relative to the slot 56', that upon swinging of the movable jaw into the position of closest approach to the xed jaw, the block 6 bears at the end of its slot I6, and serves, through the pin 6D rather than through the pin 5| to take the longitudinal stresses. Further to strengthen the wrench, in this form as well as in the form just previously described, the pivot ear 52 of the saddle is so formed that it bears snugly against the projecting rear side of the fixed jaw and this engagement, when the parts are in the operative position of Figure 6, is such that the bearing at 53 serves as a fulcrum, thus relieving the pin 5| of that duty to a large extent, and considerably strengthening the wrench.

It will be observed further that there is no looseness of the slide 2|) relative to the saddle 5, and all strains tending to bend the slide are resisted by the long bearing of the same within the saddle, even in the most extended position of parts, as shown in Figures 3 and 6. By the arrangement shown and described, the wrench may be made lighter in weight than wrenches of corresponding type and size now in use, partly because of the elimination of large nuts and the like, and partly because of the fact that the parts may be more closely fitted in place, and thereby made to support each other better, though of lighter material.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a wrench, a handle having associated therewith a fixed jaw, a saddle pivotally mounted adjacent said fixed jaw and including a guide generally parallel to the handle and ears disposed one at each side of the handle, a slide received in said guide and carrying a movable jaw, means engageable with said slide to secure the same in any adjusted position, and a spring-pressed member extending transversely through an aperture in the handle, the handle aperture being larger than the member, and said member having its ends engaged one in each saddle ear, Vand reacting from the handle to swing the saddle relatively thereto.

2. In a wrench, an apertured handle having associated therewith a fixed jaw, a. saddle pivotally supported adjacent the fixed jaw for limited movement and including a guide generally parallel to the handle and ears disposed one at each side or" the handle, a slide received in said jaw and carrying a movable jaw, means engageable between the saddle and slide to position the movable jaw at any selected spacing relative to thefixed jaw, a pin extending transversely through the handle aperture and engaging said saddle ears, and spring means disposed within the handle aperture and reacting between said handle and said pin to control relative pivotal movement of the handle and saddle.

3. In a wrench, a handle carrying a fixed jaw, a saddle pivotally supported adjacent the fixed J'aw, and when swung to its position of closest approach to the fixed jaw bearing against the latter as a fulcrum, said saddle including a guide generally parallel to the handle, a slide received in said guide and carrying a movable jaw, means engageable between the saddle and slide to position the movable jaw at any selected spacing from the fixed ja said handle having a slot disposed in the direction of its length, a block slidable in such slot, and engageable by said saddle to slide as the saddle swings, and theblock, its slot and the interengagement with the saddle being so proportioned that, upon swinging of the movable jaw to its position of closest approach to the fixed jaw, the block bears at the end of its slot to take the longitudinal stresses.

4. In a wrench, a handle carrying a xed jaw, a saddle pivotally supported adjacent the xed jaw, and when swung to its position of closest approach to the xed jaw bearing against the latter as a fulcrum, said saddle including a guide generally parallel to the handle, a slide received in said guide and carrying a movable jaw, means engageable between the saddle and slide to position the movable jaw at any selected spacing from the fixed jaw, said handle having a slot disposed in the directionof its length, a block slidable in such slot, and engageable by said saddle to slide as the saddle swings, and spring means associated with the block to swing the movable jaw away from its position of closest approach to the xed jaw.

5. In a wrench, a handle having associated therewith a xed jaw, a saddle pivotally connected to said handle and including a guide generally parallel to the handle, the pivot connection including a pivot pin, and a stop pin mo-vableA relative to both the saddle and the handle and adapted to limit their relative pivotal movement, and a slide received.' in said guide and carrying a movable jaw.

LARS E. HAGBO. 

